Ice Release

Three Anbu members...

Kakashi wasn't a reckless guy. Upon seeing the luxurious lineup before him, he immediately stopped in his tracks.

What kind of hot potato did Father bring back this time?

On the other side, the Anbu member who had collected Kazashiro's sample kindly used the Mystic Palm Technique to heal his needle prick. Though he was supposed to leave, he inexplicably cast his gaze back towards the ice sculptures Kazashiro had created.

"Uh... want one?" Although he didn't understand why the other party would use the legendary Medical Ninjutsu to heal such a tiny needle prick, Kazashiro, in the spirit of reciprocity, saw the Anbu member's interest in the ice sculptures and handed one over that he considered passable.

He had expected the Anbu member to refuse, but to everyone's surprise, the Anbu member actually reached out and took the ice sculpture. After a slight bow, he disappeared in a flash.

As this Anbu member left, the other two also vanished from Kakashi's sight without him even noticing.

"You guy..." Seeing that all the Anbu members had disappeared, Kakashi walked up to Kazashiro, shaking his shoulders, and then saw ice sculptures scattered all over the ground.

"What is this..." Kakashi picked one up in confusion. The weather was such that ice shouldn't be appearing. Could it be--

"Ah, this is my ability," Kazashiro said, raising his hand and clearing up Kakashi's doubts.

"Kekkei Genkai..." Kakashi frowned.

Where did my father pick this guy up from? No wonder the Anbu sent people to keep an eye on him.

"Achoo." Hatake Sakumo sneezed while cooking at home.

Regarding this matter, Kakashi had misunderstood Sakumo. During the time Kazashiro had been with Sakumo, he hadn't displayed any Ice Release abilities at all. The reason was simple: they were in Kirigakure at the time. If their whereabouts were discovered, he could have simply claimed Sakumo had kidnapped him to distance himself from the situation.

But if the people of Kirigakure knew he possessed a Kekkei Genkai--

They would probably burn him alive like a witch during a medieval trial.

However, using this ability in Konoha was entirely because his Kekkei Genkai was treated much better there than in Kirigakure.

After all, it wasn't the Sharingan, which would make the higher-ups constantly wary of him. In the early stages of the plot, when there weren't any god-level battles, it was considered quite advantageous. Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi would even personally step in to take good care of him.

It would be even better if he could use this opportunity to stay away from Danzo!

Kazashiro thought gleefully, completely forgetting that when it came to collecting Kekkei Genkai, Danzo was far more enthusiastic about it than the Third Hokage.

Moreover, Hiruzen hoped that Kazashiro could bring Danzo a sense of connection, so he wouldn't interfere in their affairs.

As expected, behind the Root members, the Hokage Anbu, who were monitoring both Kazashiro and Root, reported what they had seen to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Ice Release Kekkei Genkai? Sakumo has truly brought me some surprises." Hiruzen Sarutobi's face lit up with joy upon learning that Kazashiro possessed the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.

If handled properly, Konoha would have a new Kekkei Genkai clan, and Konoha's combat power in the future would reach a new level.

With this thought, Hiruzen immediately issued his orders: "We must protect that child Kazashiro, and at the same time, strengthen the surveillance of Root ninjas to understand their movements!"

Regarding the Root ninjas collecting Kazashiro's samples, Hiruzen was well aware that it was merely an investigative method used by his old friend who still harbored doubts. If this person truly wasn't Danzo's son, then he would do everything in his power to bring him under his wing and absolutely not let Danzo take him away.

However--

If the person really was Danzo's son, then he would have no standing to interfere in the matter.

Hiruzen Sarutobi even felt conflicted. He both hoped the person was Danzo's son, so that Danzo would have more considerations when acting; and hoped the person wasn't Danzo's son, so that he could instill the Will of Fire into him.

Alas, it was a difficult choice.

Meanwhile, Danzo also received a report from Oto.

"Lord Danzo, I have already handed the sample to Orochimaru. He said he will complete the comparison as soon as possible." Oto, still unaccustomed to the suddenly bright Root base, lowered his head lower than usual.

"At the same time--" Seeing that Danzo remained silent, Oto took out the slightly melting ice sculpture from his embrace: "I discovered that child possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai."

"What?" Danzo's slightly closed eyes immediately widened as he looked at the ice sculpture in Oto's hand.

Wait, this ice sculpture looks a bit like me?

With a hint of doubt, Danzo reached out and took the ice sculpture, examining it closely with his single eye.

Hmm, the bandage on his face, the wound on his chin, this is indeed my ice sculpture.

"He made this?" Danzo asked calmly.

"Yes," Oto replied, lowering his head. "When I went there, he had made many, all in your image."

"Is that so..." Danzo's heart stirred once again, for the second time today.

Recalling the timid figure in his mind, Danzo mused, Although he seems to fear me, does he secretly long for my approval...

Danzo, who had been brainwashing himself for years, believed he understood children of this age very well, unaware that Kazashiro simply found it easier to make.

"However, I didn't expect it to be Ice Release. That woman..." Holding the ice sculpture, Danzo sat back in his chair and began to anticipate Orochimaru's results. "If he truly is my son, with Ice Release, plus Root's resources..."

Danzo suddenly thought of a possibility.

However, this possibility could only be discussed after the results were truly out.

"That guy Hiruzen actually concealed such important information from me. Is he perhaps waiting for my reaction?" Danzo felt dissatisfied with Hiruzen's "concealment."

Hmph, that guy is probably waiting for my reaction. Once I show no intention of acknowledging this child, he'll immediately step in to pull him into his own camp.

"Tell Ryoma to step up Kazashiro's protection, and at the same time, strictly monitor the Anbu around him. Once they make a move, they must stop them immediately!" Danzo said to Oto before him, believing he had figured out Hiruzen's intentions.

"Bing!" Danzo then called Bing, who was setting up the Root base.

"Lord Danzo," Bing, having just finished installing the light bulbs, awaited Danzo's orders.

"Go to the Shimura Clan's property and see if there are any well-located houses near the Ninja Academy. If there are, tidy them up and prepare them. Also, it's a bit too bright in the base, so take down those light bulbs!"

"Yes." If it weren't for the curse seals, Bing would have really wanted to ask Danzo, Old man, are you messing with me?